"Wow, I look so hot," Straw said as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.
The words left her mouth before she could stop them. She leaned closer, tilting her head, studying the face that stared back at her. Smooth skin. Sharp eyes. Lips that curved naturally into confidence. She had not fully seen her face since waking up in this body, not really. Everything before had been rushed, chaotic, drowned in survival and confusion. Now, standing still, she finally allowed herself to look.
And what she saw made her grin. She lifted her chin slightly, turning her face from side to side, fingers brushing her cheek as if to confirm it was real. Beautiful was an understatement. It felt strange, praising a body that was not originally hers, yet the admiration felt natural, almost instinctive.
Then her eyes flicked upward. Berryanna stood behind her, reflected clearly in the mirror.
Straw stiffened for half a second before straightening her posture, smoothing her expression as if she had not just been caught admiring herself. "I do tell myself I'm hot every night," she added quickly, her tone casual, almost rehearsed.
Berryanna lay on the bed, already dressed in her nightgown, paperwork scattered around her like she had simply collapsed into work instead of rest. One leg was crossed over the other, her back supported by pillows, her attention seemingly fixed on the documents in her hands.
She did not look up.
"I never asked," Berryanna said.
Her voice was calm, flat, but Straw knew better. Berryanna pretended she had not been watching her the whole time. The mirror had betrayed her.
"Well, your eyes were staring, and I assumed you needed an explanation," Straw replied as she hopped onto the bed.
The mattress dipped under her weight. Straw shifted closer without hesitation, sliding into Berryanna's space like she belonged there. She tucked herself against her side, resting her head briefly on Berryanna's shoulder before leaning in.
Her lips brushed Berryanna's neck.Slowly. Deliberately. Not rushed. Not desperate. Just enough to pull her away from the words on the page.
Berryanna inhaled sharply. The papers lowered slightly, though she tried to pretend she was still reading. Her grip tightened, fingers curling around the edge of the parchment as Straw continued, kissing the soft skin beneath her ear, trailing warmth down her neck.
Berryanna was fully into it. Her body gave her away even when her words did not. Straw smiled against her skin, then stopped.
She pulled back just enough for the air to settle between them.
"What happened?" Berryanna asked, finally lifting her gaze.
Her eyes searched Straw's face, irritation and something softer tangled together.
"Why did you not let me hold your hand in the courtyard?" Straw asked.
Her voice dropped, quiet and low, as if speaking too loudly might shatter what they had built in this moment. She stayed close, their foreheads nearly touching, her breath warm against Berryanna's lips.
Berryanna did not answer right away. Instead, she reached up, grabbed Straw by the neck, and pulled her closer.
"I already said the reason," Berryanna said. "I don't like soaking wet people."
Their lips hovered just short of touching. Straw's mouth curved into a slow smile. Her eyes drifted down, tracing the shape of Berryanna's lips before lifting again. "You should rephrase that word," she murmured, "because right now we are about to give another definition to the phrase soaking wet."
Berryanna did not reply. She closed the distance instead. Her lips pressed against Straw's, firm and unapologetic, stealing the words straight from her mouth. She shifted her weight, moving until she was on top of Straw, her presence overwhelming in the best way. She pulled back only for a second, staring at Straw's lips like she was deciding whether to punish or reward her.
Then she cupped Straw's face and kissed her again.
"You should learn when to shut up," Berryanna said softly, her lips brushing Straw's as she spoke, "and put that mouth of yours to good use."
Straw's hands tightened in Berryanna's nightgown, holding onto her like she might disappear if she did not. Time stopped meaning anything.
When they finally reached their climax, the world felt distant, hazy, like something left outside the room.
Straw lay beside Berryanna afterward, her body heavy, her thoughts loose and slow. She lifted a hand and lazily played with Berryanna's hair, twisting a strand around her finger, then another. Berryanna slapped her hand away.
She sat up, pulling her nightgown back on with quick, efficient movements, as if nothing intimate had just happened.
"Wait," Straw said, pushing herself up on her elbows. "Are you going to sleep in another room after sex?"
Her voice carried disbelief more than accusation.
"This is our first night," she continued. "We should sleep cuddling and talking until we fall asleep. Let's get to know each other."
She knelt on the bed, pulling the bedsheets around herself, suddenly feeling exposed in more ways than one.
Berryanna turned to face her.
"This is my room," she said, standing tall before Straw, her presence commanding even in a nightgown. "And if we had agreed on separate rooms, you would be the one leaving."
She paused, glancing toward the window where faint light had begun to creep in.
"It's morning already. It's past 6 a.m."
"What?" Straw said.
Confusion hit her all at once. Berryanna walked to the drawer and pulled out a pocket watch. She placed it in Straw's hand. Straw stared at the time, her eyes widening.
"We were doing it all night?" Straw asked. "How long?"
Berryanna took the watch back. "You should get some sleep," she said. "By the time you wake, you will have breakfast. And then morning sex. And a walk after."
Then she left the room. The door closed quietly behind her.
Straw sat there for a moment, the silence settling heavy on her chest. She felt a strange twist of devastation she had not expected. She had wanted to ask things. Small things. Important things.
What Berryanna liked. What made her laugh. Her favorite food. The meaning behind the X-shaped scar on her back shoulder.
She had missed her chance. Time had slipped through her fingers without warning. Still, she told herself she would ask later that night. She lay back down, pulling the sheets over herself, exhaustion finally winning. She fell asleep.
In the afternoon, Straw decided to stroll around the courtyard. Berryanna was busy in a meeting with the king and several nobles in the office, and it was Straw's first full day in the large mansion. The place felt endless, halls stretching into halls, rooms opening into rooms. She wandered like a curious guest, admiring the sculptures, the artwork, the way sunlight spilled across polished floors. Everything felt grand, intentional, heavy with history. When she reached the garden, the colors stopped her. Flowers bloomed everywhere. She thought of Berryanna. Smiling to herself, Straw began plucking the finest ones, careful with each stem, choosing by instinct rather than knowledge.
"My lady, do you need help with the flowers?" a maid asked.
Straw glanced at her briefly and returned to what she was doing. "No, it's fine. I can do it on my own."
"Do you like flowers?" the maid asked. "You seem to have a lot in your hands."
"Oh, these are for my princess," Straw said. "I want to give them to her."
"That's so romantic," the maid said. "I wish someone would be romantic enough to give me flowers."
Straw laughed softly.
"What's so funny, my lady?" the maid asked.
"Nothing," Straw replied, handing her one of the flowers. "You can have this one."
"I like the blue one. The blue lilies," the maid said, pointing.
Straw handed it to her calmly. "Okay. I'm sure you have something to do. Like chores."
"No, I am free today."
"So you are not going to leave?" Straw asked.
The maid shook her head. Straw stared for a moment, thinking. She turned back to the flowers, continuing to pluck them, but misstepped.
Her foot slipped. She tilted forward. The maid rushed forward and caught Straw by the waist before she could regain her balance.
At that exact moment, an arrow flew past and struck the bunch of flowers in Straw's hand, knocking them to the ground.
They both fell. Straw scrambled up first, heart pounding. She reached out to help the maid, but another arrow flew past, narrowly missing the maid's hand. Straw withdrew her own instantly. Her eyes scanned the surroundings.
"Are you okay?" Straw asked.
"Yes, my lady," the maid replied, dusting off her dress. "Your flowers are ruined. Thank goodness this blue one is still fine. Here, the princess will appreciate it."
She lifted the flower. Another arrow sliced through it.
Straw looked up. Berryanna stood on the mansion balcony, bow in hand, already prepared to fire again. Without hesitation, she released the arrow. It flew toward Straw's head. It barely missed, grazing the side of her face, leaving a thin, burning mark.
Berryanna stared down at her coldly. The look sent chills through her.